Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents

Eating disorders are a range of psychological disorders related to abnormal eating behaviors that have a negative impact on health. There are several types of eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, pica, rumination syndrome, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Bulimia nervosa is a common type of eating disorder that occurs in children and adolescents. It is characterized by recurrent binge episodes of eating a large amount of food followed by purging behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, fasting, and excessive exercise for compensating for the binge behaviors. Doctors usually diagnose the eating disorders by first looking for the signs and symptoms of eating disorders and by evaluating the eating habits of the patient. Based on the preliminary examination, the doctor may perform physical examination, psychological evaluation, blood tests, and urine tests. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common type of treatment for eating disorders. Antidepressants, hospitalization, and nutrition counseling are some other treatment options. This book unravels the recent studies on eating disorders among children and adolescents. It will serve as a valuable source of reference for graduate and postgraduate students.